The Pastoralists' Review.—"Notable Australians interests the people because it deals with Australian personality and is free from fulsome nonsense regarding the individuals who have by meritorious service won the distinction of a place in the work . . A Federal Minister remarked the other day, ' I often look up "Johns," and nearly always find what I want.' That was a high compliment to this Australian book."
Life.— "A book that may be taken up with enjoyment at any time. ... It is hardly the kind of volume the holiday- maker would pack in his trunk ; nevertheless the interest, the entertainment, the romance, the history — or their seeds— packed into this book are astonishing.
The World's News, Sydney.— "John's Notable Australians will be found extremely useful in every business office and library throughout the Commonwealth."
The Bankers's Magazine of Australasia. — "This valuable work is not burdened with eulogistic notices of nobodies. It is a fair marshalling of well-known names, and the selection is a happy one."
The Australasian Traveller.— "Mr. Johns's work came as a pleasant surprise — being bright where it might very easily have been dull, and strictly biographical where it might have been merely panegyrical and useless. From practical experience— we have it in daily use in the office of this paper— we recommend it without reservation."
Some unsolicited opinions expressed by Australian editors in letters to the author : —
- " A monument of great industry and critical acumen."
- " This work will live. It has the right foundation."
- "A veritable treasury of information which I find I have to keep before me for constant reference and frequent quotation."
- " I congratulate you on having with marked ability, tact, unwearied perseverance and labour accomplished a great and useful task, which will keep your own name amongst our notables for years to come."
- " This is something more than a standard work of reference ; it is a substantial contribution to Australian literature. It is rich in biographical and historical facts, with a marvellous wealth of detail set out with wise discrimination and sound judgment, and bearing unmistakable evidence of great industry ... Your splendid achievement proves your intimate and comprehensive knowledge of Australian men and affairs, and certainly entitles you to a prominent place as a biographer."
A prominent critic and University teacher volunteered the opinion, "A most admirable book—a monument of enterprise,
